Super Trouper
An evolving sound and sculptural-led project centred on the artistic practices of Nnena Kalu and Rebecca Kressley, organised by curator-researcher and facilitated by ActionSpace.
Rebecca Kressley, Jeanne Larrouturou La Becque (2024). Photo Aurelien Haslebacher
Nnena Kalu. Courtesy of the Artist and ActionSpace.
Nnena Kalu (left) and Rebecca Kressley (right) in the studio at Studio Voltaire (November 2024).
Developed through Slominski’s curatorial practice-as-research, Super Trouper grew out of open-ended studio sessions between Kalu and Kressley that began in 2024. It explores a creative liminal space where artistic and cultural practices meet on fluid, non-hierarchical terms. It embraces agency, joy and intractability in experimenting with non-directive modes and meanings of transcreation.
Pop music serves as a shared and prominent anchor for both artists: Kalu’s process is consistently accompanied by particular tracks – including by ABBA, Donna Summer and the Bee Gees – while Kressley’s work often incorporates sampled pop songs, such as “Take My Breath Away” in GLOSS (2024) and “Your Cheatin’ Heart” in TONGUES (2024).
Super Trouper is a curatorial practice-as-research strand of Slominski’s current PhD with the Kingston School of Art (KSA), which aims to establish more expansive methodologies for curating and interpreting artistic practices. This research is informed by María Lugones’ concept of the limen as a site of anti-structure, released from dominant meanings. Slominski is exploring what it means to work alongside one another and how interpretation can be expansive, even improvisational, outside of traditional communicative frameworks.
Nnena Kalu’s studio Spotify playlist.
Rebecca Kressley on NTS Radio’s Rough Version with Francesca Gavin.